With all of the Halloween coverage we’ve been running over the last few weeks here on MAKE, several people asked: “Why so much? Why is Halloween such a big deal to you all?” I just saw the above image on Facebook (on director Kevin Smith’s Wall) and I think it speaks to why. Halloween is the great maker holiday because, first off, it gets lots of people making, whether creating costumes, decorating the yard, or creating fun pranks and props. It’s a holiday that celebrates creativity. Sure there’s a lot of that over Christmas, too, but Halloween has such a wide-open palette. It truly gives people “permission to play,” to use their imaginations, and that’s something we try to do every day here at MAKE. And thanks to the Internet, more people than ever are not only showing off their costumes, pumpkins carves, and yard decorations, but they’re showing others how they did it and talking about their creative process. We’d like to think that more than one maker has been created because of a Halloween build that really opened up the world of planning, building, and sharing the awesome things that you’ve made.

And then there’s the Aliens power loader with baby on board above. Who thinks of something that cool? Who is able to pull off a build that ambitious? A maker.

And here’s a little bonus image (also bringing inspiration and tears to eyes on the social web). As one commenter said: “With parents like this, this kid has a bright future.” Indeed.

Happy Halloween to makers and would-be makers everywhere. And if you made something you’re particularly proud of (it doesn’t have to be nearly as ambitious as the above), please share in the comments below.

Gareth Branwyn is a freelancer writer and the former Editorial Director of Maker Media. He is the author or editor of over a dozen books on technology, DIY, and geek culture. He is currently a contributor for Boing Boing and WINK Books. And he has a new best-of writing collection and “lazy man’s memoir,” called Borg Like Me.

Couldn’t agree more, Halloween is the makers’ holiday. Heck, I wish you had done *more* Halloween coverage, not less! One of the things I like best about Halloween is that DIY props and costumes have a strict deadline to meet, and nothing has to be perfect because you can rely on darkness or clever tricks to hide your hacks. It really frees you up to tackle all sorts of projects and be creative.

I’m sad it’s over, but there’s always next year to look forward to.

Goli Mohammadi

Well put, Tom! I totally agree. The deadline is a great motivator, and the sky’s the limit on the creativity. You can be absolutely anything you dream. What could be cooler?